TSA Apologizes To NY Giants Player For Spilling Mom’s Ashes During Bag Search

TSA Apologizes To NY Giants Player For Spilling Mom’s Ashes During Bag Search

The Transportation Security Administration apologized to New York Giants

The Transportation Security Administration apologized to New York Giants player A.J. Francis after he hammered the agency for spilling his mother’s ashes during a baggage search earlier this week.

Francis, a defensive tackle for the Giants, tweeted a photo of his open suitcase on Monday with an expletive-filled message for TSA.

Hey you pieces of shit at @TSA next time you assholes feel the need to go thru my mother’s ashes for no reason, make sure you close it back so her remains aren’t spilled on all my clothes... the least you pieces of garbage can do is your fucking job pic.twitter.com/GcJDMXvWfO

“Our officers are trained to handle your carry-on and checked property with care,” the message continued. “Out of respect for the deceased, under no circumstances should the container be opened.”

Since it appeared that someone had opened the container of ashes Francis put in his checked baggage, TSA said it would investigate further.

1: We're very sorry to hear about this. We understand the emotional stress travelers are under when transporting the remains of a loved one. Our policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers are treated with dignity, respect and courtesy.

2: Our officers are trained to handle your carry-on and checked property with care. Out of respect for the deceased, under no circumstances should the container be opened. Please accept our apologies and our condolences. https://t.co/dlf0Ci6Fh3https://t.co/wLxp0Wphg9

In a statement to HuffPost on Tuesday, TSA said a video review showed that Francis’ checked bag was searched for an unidentified object at Los Angeles International Airport.

“A TSA officer discovered the unidentified object was an opened, unmarked ceramic container, wrapped in aluminum foil inside a small bag,” the statement continued. “The TSA officer completed screening of the checked bag, clearing it to continue to its destination. The container was carefully repacked and placed in the bag.”

The agency also said it recommends taking cremated human remains in carry-on baggage, but each airline has specific requirements that can be difficult for travelers to accommodate after the death of a loved one.

When a follower asked Francis why he put the ashes in a checked bag, he said Delta Airlines required a death certificate, which was still in the mail to him. The length of time required to obtain a death certificate varies by state, but it can take multiple days to several weeks to receive.

On its website, Delta states that a death or cremation certificate is required to put remains in carry-on luggage. Along with TSA, the airline suggests travelers put the remains in a wood or plastic container, which can be easily X-rayed.

“TSA is not allowed to open the container under any circumstance. You can check cremated remains, as long as they pass through security screening,” the site adds.

Francis tweeted that he was not interested in speaking to the media about the incident because it’s upsetting and still raw. He continued to blast TSA for spilling the remains, saying he was not upset that his bag was inspected, but that the container was not replaced properly so its contents would not spill.

The craziest part of this @TSA shit is that I dont even care that they checked it... they were just being cautious, & I can understand that.

But to not ensure that it won’t spill back into my bag after you put it back in is the most asinine & irresponsible shit I have ever seen.